Page 10 of Iona's Christmas

“Decent chow,” Fists replied.

“They do really nice food. It is a shame they’re shutting. Rosalea will be upset too,” I declared, feeling sad. Why are people such idiots?

“If it’s a good money maker, Warden might be interested,” Pipe said.

“Oh. That would be great, especially if you keep the staff on. The cooks certainly would be hard to replace,” I suggested.

“The owner doesn’t cook?” Fists asked.

“Not that I’ve seen. He’s rarely here. The waitress over there seems to double as a manager.” I nodded to a woman who was serving a family with a friendly smile.

“I’m gonna hit the john, and we’ll make a move unless you’ve got anything else to do?” Pipe inquired as he rose to his feet.

I shook my head as Fists headed towards the till to pay and I glanced out the window and froze.

On a bike opposite the diner was McKay. He was flanked by his VP, Knife, and another biker. McKay was staring straight at me, and terror rose inside me. My throat tightened as I let out a tiny squeak, and McKay smiled. I swear he could smell my fear from where he was sitting. He raised his arm and saluted me before making a movement to imitate zipping his lips. Then he slashed a finger across his neck.

A hand landed on my shoulder, and I nearly screamed as I glanced up and saw Pipe. His other went to his cut, which he opened a little, and I spotted a weapon there.

McKay’s smirk disappeared, and he glowered, but Pipe's warning was clear. I was protected by the RBMC, and I was a member of the club. Pipe yanked me back against him and held McKay’s gaze.

McKay sneered and reeved his bike before speeding away. His message had been sent. McKay was watching the compound and me. But Pipe had sent his own. One that McKay hadn’t liked.

McKay had no right being in Camden, and the fact he had appeared was cause for grief. This was RBMC territory, not Screaming Barons. I’d no doubt Warden would retaliate against this. He had to. Or McKay would think that he’d got one over us.

“Car now,” Pipe said as Fists returned. I nodded and hurried out of the diner. On the way back to the motor, I kept swivelling my head, looking for another sign of the Screaming Barons, but there wasn’t any.

We drove to the compound quickly and Warden was waiting with Undertaker. I’d not even switched the SUV off and Warden was dragging me from it. He drew me in close, and I relaxed into his arms, letting him comfort me.

“Bad day, baby?” he murmured, and I nodded. He stroked my hair as he turned us to face Undertaker.

“Get Dynamo and Vogue. We’ve got a point to make,” he ordered to Undertaker. Our VP nodded and disappeared.

“You can update me fully. Let me deal with Iona,” he said to Pipe and Fists. “Thanks for protecting her brothers.”

“Nothing less than we’d do for your woman,” Pipe replied, and he and Fists headed inside.

“If I weren’t claimed by you, he’d have left me hanging,” I muttered and let out a bitter laugh.

Warden sighed, he couldn’t disagree.

“Shit will take time, Iona. You knew that. But they’re slowly coming around. This Christmas thing is a step in the right direction,” he replied.

“I know. I just want things to be perfect.”

“Perfection doesn’t exist, baby,” Warden responded.

“Yeah, it does. I see it every day in you,” I said.

Warden chuckled and kept rubbing my back. “First my mom and then McKay. You didn’t see anyone else, did you?”

“Nope, but I think Elvis might have popped up if we’d stayed,” I quipped. The terror was subsiding. Just being in Warden’s arms did that. He made me feel safe. There was nothing that couldn’t be overcome with Warden by my side.

Warden was my safe space. The compound helped, but Warden was the one who’d always come for me. He was everything I dreamed he would be and more. Nobody could hurt me as long as Warden was around. The terror finally fled as Warden kissed my forehead. This man would slay dragons for me, and demons would quake in fear if they crossed him.

And I did not mean his powers or the abilities of the club. Warden was strong and capable and knew his own strengths and weaknesses and owned them. That was something a lot of people didn’t or wouldn’t face.

“When you go out, you’ll need two on you at all times. Don’t risk yourself, baby. Obey your escorts, they’ll only be looking out for you,” Warden said.